CHICAGO -- Justin Verlander made a fashion statement that had his teammates' heads turning Tuesday in the visitors clubhouse at U.S. Cellular Field.

It wasn't a new watch. It wasn't an expensive suit. It was a simple blue T-shirt.

Across the top, it said, "Keep the MVP in the." Beneath that was the large old English "D" that is familiar to Detroit Tigers fans. At the bottom, it read, "Miguel Cabrera" with "24" beneath that.

Prince Fielder asked Verlander about the shirt as soon as he saw Verlander wearing it. A few seconds later, so did Ramon Santiago. A short time later, several teammates had Verlander surrounded.

"I think I'm going to get them for the team," Verlander said.

Verlander, who was named the American League MVP following the 2011 season, said it is clear to him that Cabrera deserves the award this season over Los Angeles Angels rookie Mike Trout and the rest of the field.

"I know Trout's had an unbelievable year," Verlander said. "He's a great player. But he's not the guy in that lineup that you go into the game and say, 'We're not going to let him hurt us.'

"He is," Verlander said while pointing to Cabrera. "And he still does it."

Cabrera is hitting .326 with 35 home runs and 116 RBIs. He is second in the American League in batting average and RBIs and fourth in home runs.

Trout is hitting .328 with 17 home runs, 77 RBIs, 45 stolen bases and 113 runs scored. He leads the American League in batting average, steals and runs.